A caller reported a suspicious object in the 2700 block of Dirr in Parsons to the dispatch at Parsons Police Department yesterday at about 2 pm.

After officers performed a positive field test of the object for explosives, the Kansas Highway Patrol Hazardous Device Unit was called in to collect and dispose of the object. The area was blocked off in case of a detonation.

The object was classified as an Improvised Explosive Device or (IED) as defined by the Department of Homeland Security as a destructive device or homemade bomb that is designed to destroy, incapacitate, harass or distract.

The investigation is ongoing and if anyone has any further information on this incident contact the PPD at 620-442-7060 or the Tip Line at 620-421-7057. Thankfully an alert citizen kept the situation from turning deadly. PPD Chief Robert Spinks said the safety of the citizens is the top priority and situations such as this can turn in a matter of seconds.